After eight years in the Castro, Castro Fountain (554 Castro Street) has announced it will close this weekend.
Castro Fountain made the announcement on its social media page. The shop's last day is Sunday, March 23.
Castro Fountain opened in 2017 in the former L'Occitane space.
"It has been a privilege to be a part of the Castro neighborhood for the past eight years," wrote Castro Fountain owner Juliet Pries. "The last few have been quite challenging, so we've made the difficult decision to close The Castro Fountain."
Castro Foutain closes on Sunday, March 23. | Photo: Mishan G/Yelp
"We will certainly miss serving our regular customers, especially the many who have become our friends over the years," added Pries.
Castro Fountain offered organic ice cream flavors and baked-on-site desserts — including cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, sundaes, milkshakes, and old-fashioned ice cream sodas. Castro Fountain's sister store The Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley will remain open.
"It’s just become too difficult to run a small business in San Francisco," Pries tells Hoodline. "I love having a shop in The Castro, and I hate to give it up, but I rely on foot traffic, which has dwindled."
"The rising cost of the ingredients we use is also a factor, and compromising on them isn’t really an option," added Pries. "In such uncertain times, it makes more sense to focus on my original shop, The Ice Cream Bar."
While it offered all the same sweet treats as The Ice Cream Bar, The Castro Fountain did not serve "remedies," Pries' name for soda fountain drinks that contain alcohol.
Pries faced numerous delays with various city agencies and PG&E before finally opening the store in 2017.
Castro residents and visitors looking for ice cream need to look no further than Oz Pizza only a few doors away. Oz Pizza recently added a selection of ice cream. Double Rainbow Ice Cream one block away is also still open at 415 Castro Street.
"We are grateful for all the amazing staff we've had since we opened in 2017 and we are happy that the current staff will continue their employment at our sister location, The Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley," said Pries.
"From all of us at The Castro Fountain, thank you for your support," added Pries.
